M14 is my bbl index off?

GunNewb

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Recently picked up a norinco 18.5". The front sight was canted to the right from the start. When looking through the rear sight it seems to be leaning to the right side. I thought nothing of this and installed a gas lock front sight, removed the flash holder entirely. Then I reinstalled the front sight.

It still leans. As well, I removed the sight and installed it the other way around. If the sight itself was leaning it would have leaned to the left this time. It went to the right again.


Then I took a level and put the rifle flat. I leveled the barrel and the gas assembly from each sides. There is about a 1/4" difference between the barrel and gas system relationship on each side. ie. the barrel and gas system are not right on top of eachother.


Havent headspaced the gun yet- is this a sign of bad barrel index?
 
Hi

I have one just like that, Over indexed slightly to the left when looking from the rear sight. Yours will need to be re indexed. Hungry is the best and can help you out, he did for me.
 
Contact Hungry.
Its actually a relatively easy process if you have access to a couple of large wrenches and a bench vise. Hungry showed us how to fit a barrel and index it at his Petawawa clinic last year. Hungry will be able to help you.
Also check out the sticky about re-barreling an M14. It shows a few pictures of them indexing the barrel.
Derek
 
I am here fer ya.... Send me a PM. It is now 1521 hrs and I am finally off on vacation. We teachers get the time but we cannot afford no flights to warm destinations anywhere, so I will just have to re-index Norc barrels while I am on holidays now.

Hey I ain't complaining; it sure beats getting cancer. We just buried a 49 year old music teacher last month. I have benn taking his 17 yr old son out shooting lots before the passing of his dad.

So any day above ground is a good day. Then again, any day tweaking M14 rifles for free is always a good day! :)

Merry Christmas to my M14 lovers!!!

Barney
 
hey hungry know anyone in Alberta that can index a barrel for gun newb? Ya me neither!! Gun newb if ya send me wher in Alberta ya are I may know someone who could help ya out with indexing that barrel. if your close enough to me I could help ya. I may know a guy who knows a guy that might of attended 2 of Hungry's clinics and may know how to index a barrel.

Merry Xmas Barney! Happy shooting!

88w out
 
Im in Calgary- whatevers easier. Definitely wasnt expecting offers of a free fix up. thanks gents.

since this will reduce headspace should I just return the rifle to Canammo?
 
Last edited:
Screwing the barrel in slightly will reduce headspace slightly. If you want to do some math you can calculate how much.
10 degrees could result in about .003" change. It will likely be insignificant.
Might even be a slight improvement, given that these rifles tend to be on the generous side.
Don't worry about it.
 
thanks gents. Been reading up on m14forum also- seems like it aint such a big deal. See if I'm on the right track here

1. build a receiver vise out of screwed together 2x4s. (dont wanna strain it in a real vice.)

2. remove barrel retaining screw with an impact driver n tight bit.

3. prolly use a pipe wrench and a rag so it doesnt chew up the barrel. Crank her down a bit.

4. Check for index using 2 tiny magnetic levels that are used for mounting scopes. try to level receiver with the gas block front sight.(having removed the actual front sight, will use the front sight attachment on my dlask adjustable gas block)

5. Screw retaining pin back in and check for headspace

6. might have to remove my op rod guide and readjust as I already adjusted the op rod/guide to a misaligned barrel and gas system.

7. hope my #### doesnt fall off


anything to add there?
 
thanks gents. Been reading up on m14forum also- seems like it aint such a big deal. See if I'm on the right track here

1. build a receiver vise out of screwed together 2x4s. (dont wanna strain it in a real vice.)

2. remove barrel retaining screw with an impact driver n tight bit.

3. prolly use a pipe wrench and a rag so it doesnt chew up the barrel. Crank her down a bit.

4. Check for index using 2 tiny magnetic levels that are used for mounting scopes. try to level receiver with the gas block front sight.(having removed the actual front sight, will use the front sight attachment on my dlask adjustable gas block)

5. Screw retaining pin back in and check for headspace

6. might have to remove my op rod guide and readjust as I already adjusted the op rod/guide to a misaligned barrel and gas system.

7. hope my #### doesnt fall off


anything to add there?

Don't beat yerself up... strip it right down to the barrel and receiver. I'll do the rest. It takes longer to unpack and then repack the mailing box. I'm not joking. I'll get 'er done in 5 minutes. Gotta do one tomorrow afternoon. Have time this Xmas holidays to relax and play with everyone else's M14 boomsticks. :D

Cheers,
Barney
 
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